Dental Implants

Dental Implants Placement and Restoration

Dr. Williams is highly trained in the placement and restorations of dental implants.We are one of the few general dental practices in the area that places and restores most of our implant cases.

What is the difference between "mini" and "regular" Implants?

The difference is in the diameter of these implants. All implants above 3.5 mm in diameter are considered standard implants. Mini implants range from 1.8 to 2.5 mm in diameter.

Which implants are the best for me?

Each case needs to be evaluated on a case by case basis. We are not the same, we heal differently and we have different health issues. The best answer is to be evaluated by Dr. Williams to determine the best course of treatment for your case.

Small diameter implants are the fastest , most cost effective and most convenient way to stabilize your loose dentures. While standard size implants are far superior in replacing individual teeth.

Small diameter implants are inserted directly into the jaw bone and dentures are attached to them at the same visit. You walk in with loose dentures, you walk out with a stable and functioning denture.

Standard implants are much more involved and usually require 2 surgeries. The first surgery is for the insertion of implants and the second one is to expose them usually 4- 6 months later. Some bone grafting might be needed prior to insertion of these implants. That's why the standard implants cost more.

These are some of the most common questions regarding small diameter or mini implants:Does it hurt to place an instant mini dental implant?Most people experience some pain at the gums around the surgical site that can be easily managed with pain killers.Do I need to be asleep?

No, this is a very fast and easy procedure. The physical time of placing a single implant can be approximately 5 minutes. It is probably faster than getting a filling on your tooth!!.

What happens if an implant fails?As everything in life,implants can fail. The rate of implants failure depends on your healing capacity, smoking, certain disease..etc. If an implant fails, It can be usually removed easily and another implant placed.How long will they last?Small diameter implants are FDA approved for long term stabilization of dentures and can last indefinitely.How do I clean my implants?If you have a removable denture, you can clean your implants with a special curved implant brush or you can use a sonic type tooth brush.

How many implants do I need?The number of implants you will need is dependent on your specific needs. Denture stabilization for the upper typically is 6 implants and 4 on the lower. For fixed/cemented teeth the number of implants is varied based on your bone and tooth structure.How much do they cost?There can be more than one fee for an implant case. There will be a fee for the implant placement themselves. There will also be a fee for the restorations needed that will be placed on the implants. The current implant placement fee here at our office start at $500 per instant small diameter dental implant placed. Prices are subject to change without notice. If you have an existing denture that we can utilize, then the modification to your existing denture is included in the implant placement fee. If we cannot use your existing denture, then you will need to have a new denture fabricated before your implants are placed. The only way to give you an exact fee would be by examination of your x-rays and mouth.